U.S. shipyards are entering a new investment cycle, and the inland market is at the center of it. Stricter enforcement of Subchapter M has exposed a critical shortage of drydock capacity precisely as demand is rising — and as a significant share of the inland barge and towboat fleet approach inspection deadlines. At the same time, federal defense spending and policy initiatives like the SHIPS Act are directing capital toward larger yards, creating a cascading effect that positions small and midsize inland yards as increasingly attractive targets for private equity and infrastructure investors. 

This session examines the forces driving renewed investor interest in shipyards, what that capital influx means for operators and owners navigating growth or ownership decisions, and where the most compelling opportunities and risks are emerging across the inland and coastal markets. The discussion will draw on recent deal activity, including high-profile acquisitions in the inland barge and shipyard sectors, to ground the conversation in current market realities. 

Attendees will:

• Understand the regulatory, policy, and capacity dynamics driving renewed investor interest in U.S. shipyards, with a particular focus on the inland market
• Explore what small and midsize inland yards offer infrastructure and private equity investors — and why their repair and maintenance focus makes them particularly attractive in the current environment
• Hear what dry dock operators and inland marine businesses should consider when evaluating growth strategies, partnerships, or exit opportunities
• Leave with a clearer picture of where capital is flowing in the shipyard sector and what it signals for the next five to ten years